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Mold Removal After Flooding | ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Mold Removal After Flooding

Whenever you have a flood or water damage issue, one of the major complications you have to watch for is mold growth. Needing mold removal services is common after flooding or a major natural disaster, but mold removal can be dangerous for homeowners and families. You need to know what you are getting yourself into if you’re going to try to DIY a mold removal job.

How to Recognize Mold

Mold spores grow and spread quickly if you do not have mold removal completed. Anywhere water was allowed to sit in the first place, you’ll find mold, although mold is not always visible to the naked eye. Some of the places you should keep an eye on for mold include:

  • Where walls and ceilings join
  • Air ducts
  • Baseboards
  • Basement
  • Bathrooms
  • Attic
  • Anywhere with past flooding
  • Anywhere there are roof leaks
  • Anywhere condensation builds up such as around AC units or refrigerators

Most molds look like smears of soot or dirt and will be black in color. Other types of mold will be white and threadlike, while still others will look like clusters of fuzzy black dots. Mold can even be green, gray, brown, or a mixture of these colors. Professional mold removal teams can assess the type of mold you have and the proper way to remediate that mold.

Non-Physical Signs of Mold

Since mold is not always visible to the naked eye, people must know some of the symptoms of mold growth in your home that can happen to people.

Some of the symptoms of a mold infestation include:

  • Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose or congestion
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Smelling a musty or moldy odor

Mold can cause serious health issues for you and your family if you don’t get proper mold removal. Use a company that is certified in mold removal so that you know the problem is getting taken care of correctly and efficiently.

If you are looking for mold removal services, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg.  Our team of service professionals is efficient, professional, and quick at their jobs, which can save you time and money at the end of your remodel project. Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg to discuss your residential or commercial cleaning needs today at 412-528-5986.

Water Damage Cleanup | Tips to Prevent Your Basement from Flooding

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Water Damage Cleanup | Tips to Prevent Your Basement from Flooding

Some people use their basements for storage and utilities while other homeowners finish their basements and make them an integral part of their home entertaining. Regardless of how you use your basement, the last thing you want is to deal with a terrible flooding situation that calls for emergency water damage cleanup. A water damage cleanup company can help you with any flooding you might incur; however, you should follow these tips for preventing your basement from flooding to avoid damages and an expense you aren’t prepared for.

  1. You Need a Sump Pump-Basements need sump pumps to remove any water that might get into your basement. They should be installed at the lowest point in your basement. They are usually hooked up through the electricity, but you want to have a backup generator so that if the electricity goes out during a storm, the sump pump doesn’t fail.
  2. Lawn Slope-Your lawn needs to have a slight slope to it to help water flow away from your house. This slope can be very gradual, and you might not even notice it. If you see water pooling around your home you should contact a landscaper to discuss altering the slope of your lawn.
  3. Check the Foundation-As a home settles, cracks can form in the foundation. If you don’t use your basement very often, make sure you still go down once a month to check for cracks, water spots, and flooding. You should also check for flooding during storms, flash flood warnings, and after heavy rains.
  4. Drainage System Maintenance-Most homes use a gutter system for draining water away from their homes. If this gutter system is damaged you could end up with roof leaks, flooding, and other disasters that will leave you needing water damage cleanup. Make sure you are clearing your gutters of debris and giving attention to missing or damaged pieces. The drainage system should also be checked during bi-annual roof maintenance.

These four tips to preventing your basement from flooding will help you mitigate how much water damage cleanup you have to endure as a homeowner. However, when disaster strikes, you need to contact professional water damage cleanup companies.

The team at ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg is efficient, professional, and quick at their jobs, which can save you time and money at the end of your restoration or cleanup project. Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg to discuss your commercial and residential cleaning needs today at 412-528-5986